And even more Fairbanks ...

I can't say "Fairbanks, the end" because I actually come back this way in a couple of months on my way to the Artic Circle....

My weather fact for today (on my phone) is:  The winter of 1936 in the US was so cold that Niagara Falls froze completely.  Was that suppose to make me feel better?  ha.

I can also tell you that the best natural windshield cleaner is frozen slush coming down from your roof across the windshield.  Nothing is left -- not even a bug wing.  It sparkles.  I just wish it would clean the rest of the coach as well.

A Spam omelette was the breakfast special at the dinner this morning ....

I have spent some time at the Jeep dealer (twice) and at the nail salon talking to locals and found out some interesting facts ....

• The school children play outside at recess until it is colder than -20 degrees, and then they play inside.  Even the kids don't think that is too cold.

• There are approximately 30 gold mines in Alaska, the newest one being around Nome.  That one has an estimated 28-year vein.  If you live here and are not in the military, then you probably work in one of the mines or the pipeline or drive a truck or work in the tourist industry.  The locals don't think the prices are high because they make more money than the lower 48.  For instance, a trucker  hauling for the pipeline makes about $1,000/day.  I think I've found my new job!

I did find some blue sky ....

• It is usually green and very pretty here this time of year; again, no local will admit to remembering winter lasting this long. Also, this terrible wind they have that I hate, they don't usually have.  Apparently, they don't normally have any wind.

• It is very expensive to build a house here, so if you can find an old house to buy, that's what most people do.  They don't maintain the outside because of the elements and the short season, but apparently the inside of the house is wonderful.  That's where they concentrate all their time and money.

As I may have mentioned, I am staying in a mobile home park because the campgrounds are still closed.  I have almost everything I need and the price isn't bad, so it works.  We have had a couple warmer days and the lake has melted and the ducks have arrived.


I did walk around and take some pictures for you ....

The residents either live in very run down mobile homes ...

 

Or in one of these buildings .... of which they are building more.  I would have expected more pitch on the roof, but they don't get a lot of snow here.



I'm sure the lack of windows helps in the winter, but it must be miserable in the summer.  They are heated from a big rusted oil drum laying in a cradle on the side of the house.  You can buy heating oil at any gas station ... it's one of the pumps, like diesel.

• You do get used to the "dark" as well as the "light" .... as one lady said "you just have to keep busy."  It is up to about 20 hours of  "light" now (not to be confused with "sunshine"), except it doesn't really get dark; more of  like "dusk."  I haven't make it to bed earlier than 1:30am so far because I just don't realize it is that late.  A local was telling me this morning that he has run to Lowe's a few times, not realizing it is 3am and they are closed! (He's retired military and now does heavy machinery for the local mine.  His wife hates it here, but he won't move).

• The mosquitoes .... I just had to laugh.  You read the literature and they talk about the mosquitoes, but until you are hit with a cloud of them, you just can't picture what people are talking about.  It was unbelievable; never did I imagine.  I got out of the Jeep to get gas and there were thousands of them. I quickly got back in the car, but to see the hoard against the white Jeep ... not a good idea to stand with your mouth open! They spend the winter under the ice and snow, so as soon as it melts there they are, all hungry .... and they are worse as you go North, I am told.

• Although we are actually in Alaska Standard Time, apparently we don't care.  The locals feel that time doesn't matter up here, so most just keep to Seattle time, as that's where they do business or have contacts.

• Everyone carries, you don't need a carry permit, and if you need to go down to the 48 and you fly, Alaska Airlines will allow up to 50 lbs of ammo and guns in your suitcase.  If you drive, there is a mail service that will mail the gun/ammo down for you ... USPS!  So, why do I have to sign that my package doesn't contain anything harmful??? ha. 

• I got an explanation about the empty grocery shelves in the stores ... They used to have a Sams Club in town.  People living out of town come in once a month, or every couple of months, to stock up on supplies.  Now that they don't have a "bulk" shopping place, these residents clear the shelves in the regular markets.  If they need 12 bottles of ketsup for the month/or 2, then there is no ketsup for the rest of us.  ha.